The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Port Klang has hit dangerous levels according to Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah.

“Sensors at Port Klang shows that at 3pm, it has breached 314 API. All other monitoring stations are under 200 still as of 3pm,” he posted on his Facebook .

NONE His posting is corroborated by the National Security Council’s Disaster Information Facebook , that announced a reading of 317 at around 4.30pm citing the Department of Environment (DOE) as its source,

The coastal city is the first in the Klang Valley this season to exceed 301 API, classified as ‘hazardous’ as Selangor today started to feel the full force of the worsening haze.

Port Klang initially chalked 296 and 288 in the DOE website's own  7am and 1pm reports respectively.

At press time the 5pm readings have not been updated.

Selangor face unhealthy levels

At 5.45pm Selangor exco for the environment Elizabeth Wong posted in her Facebook that as at 5pm, Port Klang’s reading was up slightly to 319, while Banting was ‘very unhealthy’ at 209.

The other two monitoring stations chalked unhealthy levels (above 101 API) - Kuala Selangor (157) and Petaling Jaya (196) at 5pm.

Muar was the first casualty in this month’s haze, hitting dangerous levels last week and finally being declared an emergency situation along with Ledang.

However the situation in Johor has improved significantly as levels in other states deteriorate.

The smog has been attributed to forest fires in Indonesia said to have been caused by plantation companies clearing forests through illegal slash and burn techniques.

On Saturday, Indonesian Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuayanamed eight companies with Malaysian ownership that he said are being probed for such burning activities.

Both the Association of Plantation Investors of Malaysia in Indonesia (Apimi) and Sime Darby Plantation have issued denials their Indonesian operations are involved.

'Better info needed'

Meanwhile, a group of NGOs also urged the government to better disseminate its information to help the public deal with the haze crisis.

"The government agencies, especially the DOE, must publish hourly readings instead of every four hours.

"Information must be disseminated to all through the mass media so that appropriate actions can be taken," read a joint statement by the Federation of Malaysia Consumer Associations (Fomca), Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (Wecam), Forum Air Malaysia, Consumer Research and Resource Centre (CRRC), ERA Consumer Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Standards Users and National Consumer Complaint Centre (NCCC).

In addition, they urged the relevant authorities to ensure that there will not be a disrupted water supply as people need to remain hydrated in the unhealthy weather.

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